Heðin Brú

These are the men who grew up at the oar, and trod out the mountain paths. For them, all journeys were long journeys and risky ones. They are all keyed up to meet any problem, and they take life very seriously. These men stride onwards with ponderous footsteps – strong men of few words.

They measure time and distance differently from the older folk. Journeys are shorter for them, and time is not such a serious matter. These men are lighter-footed, lighter-hearted, and more lively-spirited than the older people.

He very much wanted to know just where the whales were, but he did not dare to ask, for fear of looking foolish. For perhaps it was a thing everyone ought to know in advance, or perhaps it was silly to ask where they were, as if they weren’t in the same place every time.

but he did not dare to ask, for fear of looking foolish.

it was better to be careful and say nothing in front of strangers, for if he asked anything silly, they might make fun of him. He could just imagine how they would answer him.

hither and thither,

You can’t ease yourself in the twinkling of an eye, when you’re an old man.’

We mustn’t drive a man away, when he’s come to present us with what he thinks is a great luxury,

The house smells of mountain and earth, of decaying wood, and turf.

They cheered up again; the darkness lifted a bit from them and they once again took heart.